2021 Season Preview: Galway United

Carlton Ubaezuonu celebrates with Francely Lomboto and Marc Ludden after scoring a last minute winner against Bray Wanderers in October 2020.

The Tribesmen will be aiming for promotion in 2021. Credit: Al Robinson (ETPhotos)

Manager: John Caulfield

Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park

Players in: Padraic Cunningham (Unattached), David Hurley (Cobh Ramblers), Mikie Rowe (Tormenta FC), Gary Boylan (Unattached), Ruairí Keating (Torquay United), Conor O’Keefe (Newry City), Ronan Manning (Athlone Town), Colin Kelly (Bohemians), Conor Kearns (St Patrick’s Athletic), Conor McCormack (Derry City), Stephen Walsh (Galway Hibernians).

Players out: Vinny Faherty (Retired), Conor Barry (Finn Harps), Timo Parthoens (Released), Joe Collins (Treaty United), Jack Lynch (Treaty United), Joshua Smith (Released), Timmy Molloy (Released), Conor Melody (Treaty United), Enda Curran (Released), Micheál Schlingermann (Athlone Town), Donal Higgins (UCD), Marc Ludden (Treaty United), Cian Murphy (Cobh Ramblers), Sam Warde (Portadown).

Extratime.com Key Man: Shane Duggan

Shane Duggan captained Galway United as they made it into the playoffs last season and he was also one of two Tribesmen to make the 2020 PFAI First Division Team of the Year, with the midfielder earning that honour for the fourth time in his career.

A tenacious performer throughout last season, he will be particularly remembered for his injury time equaliser with UCD on the last day of the regular season which managed to just about pull United into the playoffs.

With over a decade of League of Ireland experience to his name, along with two First Division winning medals the midfielder will be an integral part of John Caulfield’s side in 2021.

Extratime.com One to Watch: Ronan Manning

The younger brother of Republic of Ireland international Ryan, Manning returns to his hometown club having departed the Tribesmen two years ago.



The midfielder was highly rated by Shane Keegan during his first stint with Galway United and made his debut against the then John Caulfield managed Cork City during the 2017 Premier Division season.

Manning’s progress was halted the following season after Galway United were relegated. A season where presumably the youngster might have gotten even more game time never materialised and he departed at the end of 2018 to sign for Athlone Town— for the first time.

After stepping away from football in 2019 after appearing in just one game for Athlone’s Under 19 side, he returned to the Midlands club for the 2020 season scoring 8 goals and assisting 5 as the Town finished bottom of the First Division.

With his League of Ireland career back on track, if the 20 year old can bring that kind of form to a promotion chasing Galway United this could be a big season for the midfielder.

How they did last season:

League:



Galway United had a season of two halves in 2020 with the club parting ways with manager Alan Murphy last August after 7 games of the campaign.

The Tribesmen had not won a single First Division match by the time the club’s leading goal scorer departed and the side looked like they were on the way for a third campaign of anonymity in a row.

United appointed former Cork City boss John Caulfield as manager and the club’s fortunes changed immediately. With just 10 games left in the campaign Galway went on to win 7 and draw 1 of those games, including a 6-2 drubbing of Longford Town on the way to the end of the season.

Initially finishing in sixth place just outside the playoffs, a successful appeal by Wexford against a decision to award Cabinteely three points in a game they were initially judged to have fielded an ineligible player snuck the side into the playoffs on goal difference alone.

First Division runners up Bray Wanderers fell victim to Galway United’s near impeccable form in the playoffs with a Wilson Waweru goal ending the Wicklow side’s push for promotion.

Longford Town proved too much for John Caulfield’s men in the Playoff semi-final with the side losing 2-1 as De Town went on to clinch promotion against Shelbourne in the final.

FAI Cup:

Galway United’s second round meeting with Shelbourne was John Caulfield’s first game in charge of the Tribesmen back in August.

The 5-2 score line flattered the then Premier Division club as Galway Untied came from behind twice with goals from Enda Curran and Mikey Place.

The Reds showed their superiority late in the game however to progress to the next round, but it was a promising start for Caulfield.

What to expect this season:

With an experienced and proven manager in place, along with the additional talent brought to the club, Galway United should be well capable of mounting a serious title challenge this season.

The signing of the likes of Conor McCormack and Conor Kearns is a huge sign of intent by the club and Galway should be an exciting side to watch in 2021.

The First Division is arguably at its strongest in years heading into the 2021 season it will not be plain sailing for the Tribesmen, but with the announcement that Galway’s players will be full-time this season, they should be near the top of the table come the end of the season.

They begin their campaign against Shelbourne, a side that should be Galway’s main rivals for the First Division title so the opening day of the season could really set the tone for the year ahead.

Title Odds: 11/4

First game: Shelbourne (home).